Politics

Opposition Parties Protest Appointment of Foreign Minister

Write : 2017-06-19 18:45:42Update : 2017-06-19 19:35:55

Bipartisan harmony is fast becoming empty rhetoric in South Korean politics as rival parties are clashing hard over President Moon Jae-in's new foreign minister and his controversial foreign policy adviser.

The main opposition Liberty Korea Party(LKP) on Monday held a general meeting and decided to boycott all parliamentary standing committee meetings, for the time being, in protest of the unilateral appointment of Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha on Sunday.

Echoing the LKP's dissatisfaction, the conservative splinter Bareun Party also decided to boycott all standing committees meetings for the day.

The minor opposition People’s Party, meanwhile, called for President Moon to give an explanation for Kang's appointment, saying it cannot cooperate with the ruling Democratic Party without it.

The three opposition parties plan to hold a House Steering Committee meeting on Tuesday. They will summon and grill senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, Cho Kuk, and senior presidential secretary for personnel affairs, Cho Hyun-ok, over the selection of controversial Cabinet minister nominees.

They also criticized the president’s special adviser on foreign affairs and security, Moon Chung-in, over controversial remarks he made at seminar in Washington last Friday.

The former Yonsei University professor said if North Korea suspends its nuclear and missile activities, South Korea could reduce its annual military exercises with the U.S.

The opposition bloc expressed strong concern that his remarks could have a negative effect on the South Korea-U.S. alliance, with the LKP and Bareun Party demanding his resignation.

The ruling Democratic Party refuted the criticism, saying it is in the interest of the country to prudently convey Seoul’s opinions to Washington on various issues regarding the Korean Peninsula.